What to Expect from Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand's Visit to India?

Anita Anand's Arrival in New Delhi

New Delhi: On Sunday, Canada's Foreign Minister Anita Anand touched down in the Indian capital, just a day ahead of her scheduled discussions with Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar.

The upcoming talks are anticipated to concentrate on establishing a framework for strategic collaboration in trade, energy, and security sectors.

This marks Anand's inaugural visit to India since she took office as foreign minister in May. Additionally, she plans to meet with Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal to explore avenues for enhancing bilateral trade.

According to Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for the External Affairs Ministry, "This visit aims to build on the positive momentum in India-Canada relations by revitalizing our bilateral mechanisms, enhancing economic cooperation, and further solidifying the enduring people-to-people connections that underpin our partnership."

Anand's visit to New Delhi is the first leg of her three-nation tour, which will also include stops in China and Singapore.

In her meetings with Jaishankar and Goyal, both nations aim to establish a framework for strategic cooperation on trade diversification, energy transformation, and security, as noted in a Canadian statement released on Saturday.

Furthermore, Anand will travel to Mumbai, where she will engage with Canadian and Indian businesses focused on fostering investment, job creation, and economic opportunities in both countries.

This visit follows a significant meeting between Canada's National Security Advisor Nathalie Drouin and Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, which took place over three weeks ago.

Shortly after the Drouin-Doval discussions, Canada classified the Lawrence Bishnoi gang as a terrorist organization due to its violent actions against specific communities, contributing to a climate of fear.

The renewed enthusiasm in bilateral relations can be traced back to discussions between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney during the G7 Summit in Kananaskis, Canada, in June.

Relations between India and Canada had deteriorated significantly after former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's allegations in 2023 suggested a possible Indian connection to the assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

India promptly rejected Trudeau's claims as "absurd."

In October of the previous year, India recalled its high commissioner and five diplomats following Ottawa's attempts to link them to the Nijjar case, leading to reciprocal expulsions of Canadian diplomats.

However, the election victory of Liberal Party leader Carney in April has initiated a process to mend ties.

Both nations have since appointed high commissioners in each other's capitals and agreed to revive various mechanisms to enhance cooperation across multiple sectors.

In Singapore, Minister Anand is set to meet with her counterpart Vivian Balakrishnan to bolster Canada's collaboration with one of its key partners in Southeast Asia.

In China, she will engage with Foreign Affairs Minister Wang Yi to continue fostering bilateral relations as both countries celebrate 55 years of diplomatic ties.